Fort Clinch State Park Aquatic Preserve
SEACAR Habitat Analyses
Last compiled on 18 March, 2024
Threshold Filtering
Threshold filters, following the guidance of Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s (FDEP) Division of Environmental Assessment and Restoration (DEAR) are used to exclude specific results values from the SEACAR Analysis. Based on the threshold filters, Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QAQC) Flags are inserted into the SEACAR_QAQCFlagCode and SEACAR_QAQC_Description columns of the export data. The Include column indicates whether the QAQC Flag will also indicate that data are excluded from analysis. No data are excluded from the data export, but the analysis scripts can use the Include column to exclude data (1 to include, 0 to exclude).
| Parameter Name | Units | Low Threshold | High Threshold | Sensor Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dissolved Oxygen | mg/L | 0 | 50 | YSI EXOs |
| Dissolved Oxygen | mg/L | 0 | 50 | Analysis Only - 2022-04-04 |
| Dissolved Oxygen | mg/L | 0 | 50 | 6600 Series |
| Salinity | ppt | 0 | 70 | 6600 Series |
| Salinity | ppt | 0 | 70 | YSI EXOs |
| Salinity | ppt | 0 | 70 | Analysis Only - 2022-04-04 |
| Water Temperature | Degrees C | -5 | 45 | YSI EXOs |
| Water Temperature | Degrees C | -5 | 45 | Analysis Only - 2022-04-04 |
| Water Temperature | Degrees C | -5 | 45 | 6600 Series |
| pH | pH | 2 | 14 | Analysis Only - 2022-04-04 |
| pH | pH | 2 | 14 | 6600 Series |
| pH | pH | 2 | 14 | YSI EXOs |
| Dissolved Oxygen Saturation | % | 0 | 500 | YSI EXOs |
| Dissolved Oxygen Saturation | % | 0 | 500 | 6600 Series |
| Dissolved Oxygen Saturation | % | 0 | 500 | Analysis Only - 2022-04-04 |
| Specific Conductivity | mS/cm | 0 | 100 | 6600 Series |
| Specific Conductivity | mS/cm | 0 | 200 | YSI EXOs |
| Turbidity | NTU | 0 | 4000 | YSI EXOs |
| Turbidity | NTU | 0 | 1000 | 6600 Series |
| Turbidity | NTU | 0 | 4000 | Analysis Only - 2022-04-04 |
| Parameter Name | Units | Low Threshold | High Threshold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dissolved Oxygen | mg/L | 0.000001 | 22 |
| Salinity | ppt | 0 | 70 |
| Water Temperature | Degrees C | 3 | 40 |
| pH | 2 | 13 | |
| Dissolved Oxygen Saturation | % | 0.000001 | 310 |
| Specific Conductivity | mS/cm | 0.005000001 | 100 |
| Turbidity | NTU | 0 | - |
| Total Suspended Solids (TSS) | mg/L | 0 | - |
| Chlorophyll a uncorrected for pheophytin | ug/L | 0 | - |
| Chlorophyll a corrected for pheophytin | ug/L | 0 | - |
| Secchi Depth | m | 0.000001 | 50 |
| Light Extinction Coefficient | m^1 | 0 | - |
| Colored dissolved organic matter, CDOM | PCU | 0 | - |
| Fluorescent dissolved organic matter, FDOM | QSE | 0 | - |
| Total Nitrogen | mg/L | 0 | - |
| Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen TKN | mg/L | 0 | - |
| NO2+3 Filtered | mg/L | 0 | - |
| NH4 Filtered | mg/L | 0 | - |
| Total Phosphorus | mg/L | 0 | - |
| PO4 Filtered | mg/L | 0 | - |
| Ammonia- Un-ionized (NH3) | mg/L | 0 | - |
| Nitrate (N) | mg/L | 0 | - |
| Nitrite (N) | mg/L | 0 | - |
| Nitrogen, organic | mg/L | 0 | - |
| SEACAR QAQC Description | Include | SEACAR QAQCFlagCode |
|---|---|---|
| Exceeds Maximum threshold. Not verified in raw data | No | 2Q |
| Exceeds Maximum threshold. Verified in raw data | No | 3Q |
| Below Minimum threshold. Not verified in raw data | No | 4Q |
| Below Minimum threshold. Verified in raw data | No | 5Q |
| Within threshold tolerance | Yes | 6Q |
| No defined thresholds for this parameter | Yes | 7Q |
Value Qualifiers
Value qualifier codes included within the data are used to exclude certain results from the analysis. The data are retained in the data export files, but the analysis uses the Include column to filter the results.
STORET and WIN value qualifier codes
Value qualifier codes from STORET and WIN data are examined with the database and used to populate the Include column in data exports.
| Qualifier Source | Value Qualifier | Include | MDL | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| STORET-WIN | H | No | 0 | Value based on field kit determination; results may not be accurate |
| STORET-WIN | J | No | 0 | Estimated value |
| STORET-WIN | V | No | 0 | Analyte was detected at or above method detection limit |
| STORET-WIN | Y | No | 0 |
Discrete Water Quality Value Qualifiers
The following value qualifiers are highlighted in the Discrete Water Quality section of this report. An exception is made for Program 476 - Charlotte Harbor Estuaries Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Network and data flagged with Value Qualifier H are included for this program only.
H - Value based on field kit determiniation; results may not be accurate. This code shall be used if a field screening test (e.g., field gas chromatograph data, immunoassay, or vendor-supplied field kit) was used to generate the value and the field kit or method has not been recognized by the Department as equivalent to laboratory methods.
I - The reported value is greater than or equal to the laboratory method detection limit but less than the laboratory practical quantitation limit.
Q - Sample held beyond the accepted holding time. This code shall be used if the value is derived from a sample that was prepared or analyzed after the approved holding time restrictions for sample preparation or analysis.
S - Secchi disk visible to bottom of waterbody. The value reported is the depth of the waterbody at the location of the Secchi disk measurement.
U - Indicates that the compound was analyzed for but not detected. This symbol shall be used to indicate that the specified component was not detected. The value associated with the qualifier shall be the laboratory method detection limit. Unless requested by the client, less than the method detection limit values shall not be reported
Systemwide Monitoring Program (SWMP) value qualifier codes
Value qualifier codes from the SWMP continuous program are examined with the database and used to populate the Include column in data exports. SWMP Qualifier Codes are indicated by QualifierSource=SWMP.
| Qualifier Source | Value Qualifier | Include | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| SWMP | -1 | Yes | Optional parameter not collected |
| SWMP | -2 | No | Missing data |
| SWMP | -3 | No | Data rejected due to QA/QC |
| SWMP | -4 | No | Outside low sensor range |
| SWMP | -5 | No | Outside high sensor range |
| SWMP | 0 | Yes | Passed initial QA/QC checks |
| SWMP | 1 | No | Suspect data |
| SWMP | 2 | Yes | Reserved for future use |
| SWMP | 3 | Yes | |
| SWMP | 4 | Yes | Historical: Pre-auto QA/QC |
| SWMP | 5 | Yes | Corrected data |
Water Column
The water column habitat extends from the surface of all water bodies to the bottom sediments and encompasses the different features found in the water at different depths (National Oceanographic Center, 2016). The water column habitat must be viewed in relation to its interconnectedness with other habitats. A healthy water column is an integral component in ensuring a healthy marine and coastal ecosystem. Having a flourishing marine and coastal ecosystem in Florida is necessary to support a strong economy. The health of the water column is dependent upon factors as diverse as land use (e.g., agriculture, mining, forestry practices); human population growth; emissions, (e.g., power plants, automobiles, wastewater); climate (e.g., rainfall, temperature, winds and currents); and decadal trends (e.g., El Niño/La Niña, Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, climate change).
The water column is composed of various physical, chemical and biological features, and only a small number of them are adequately monitored. Features of the water column that are monitored are used as indicators of the water column health and help assess the status of other habitats. These indicators include nutrient concentrations (nitrogen and phosphorus); water quality (dissolved oxygen, temperature, salinity and pH); water clarity (Secchi depth, turbidity, chlorophyll-a and colored dissolved organic matter); and nekton (fish, macroinvertebrates and megafauna).
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Analysis
Indicators must have a minimum of five to ten years, depending on the habitat, of data within the geographic range of the analysis to be included in the analysis. Ten years of data are required for discrete parameters, and five years of data are required for continuous parameters. If there are insufficient years of data, the number of years of data available will be noted and labeled as “insufficient data to conduct analysis”. Further, for the preferred Seasonal Kendall-Tau test, there must be data from at least two months in common across at least two consecutive years within the RCP managed area being analyzed. Values that pass both of these tests will be included in the analysis and be labeled as Use_In_Analysis = TRUE. Any that fail either test will be excluded from the analyses and labeled as Use_In_Analysis = FALSE.
Water Quality - Discrete
The following files were used in the discrete analysis:
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Chlorophyll_a_corrected_for_pheophytin-2024-Feb-22.txt
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Chlorophyll_a_uncorrected_for_pheophytin-2024-Feb-22.txt
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Colored_dissolved_organic_matter_CDOM-2024-Feb-22.txt
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Dissolved_Oxygen-2024-Feb-22.txt
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Dissolved_Oxygen_Saturation-2024-Feb-22.txt
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_pH-2024-Feb-22.txt
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Salinity-2024-Feb-22.txt
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Secchi_Depth-2024-Feb-22.txt
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Total_Nitrogen-2024-Feb-22.txt
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Total_Phosphorus-2024-Feb-22.txt
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Total_Suspended_Solids_TSS-2024-Feb-22.txt
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Turbidity-2024-Feb-22.txt
Combined_WQ_WC_NUT_Water_Temperature-2024-Feb-22.txt
Dissolved Oxygen - Discrete Water Quality
Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is a key indicator of water quality. Oxygen enters surface waters by air-sea gas exchange, by wind action, or as a byproduct of aquatic plant photosynthesis. The actual quantity of DO in aquatic environments is dependent on the above processes as well as water temperature and salinity.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Dissolved
Oxygen
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available
at each sampling site
| ProgramID | N_Data | YearMin | YearMax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 69 | 1203 | 2001 | 2017 |
| 5002 | 70 | 2000 | 2023 |
| 103 | 56 | 2004 | 2021 |
| 95 | 47 | 2014 | 2018 |
| 115 | 2 | 1994 | 1994 |
Program names:
69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program
There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for Dissolved Oxygen in Fort Clinch State Park Aquatic Preserve
pH - Discrete Water Quality
The pH of water is the measure of how acidic or basic the water body is on a scale of 0-14, with lower readings indicating acidic and higher readings indicating basic, and a pH of 7 being neutral. Florida’s natural waters fall between 6.5 and 8.5 on this scale. A water body’s pH can change due to precipitation, geology, vegetation, water pollution and air pollution.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for pH
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available
at each sampling site
| ProgramID | N_Data | YearMin | YearMax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 69 | 1215 | 2001 | 2017 |
| 5002 | 72 | 2000 | 2023 |
| 95 | 48 | 2014 | 2018 |
| 103 | 45 | 2004 | 2021 |
| 115 | 1 | 1994 | 1994 |
Program names:
69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program
There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for pH in Fort Clinch State Park Aquatic Preserve
Salinity - Discrete Water Quality
Salinity is a measure of the amount of salt in the water. In estuarine ecosystems, salinity is influenced by precipitation, evaporation, surface-water inputs, and exchange with coastal waters.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Salinity
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available
at each sampling site
| ProgramID | N_Data | YearMin | YearMax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 69 | 1218 | 2001 | 2017 |
| 5002 | 67 | 2000 | 2022 |
| 95 | 52 | 1999 | 2018 |
| 103 | 43 | 2004 | 2007 |
| 115 | 2 | 1994 | 1994 |
Program names:
69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program
There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for Salinity in Fort Clinch State Park Aquatic Preserve
Secchi Depth - Discrete Water Quality
Secchi depth is a measure of the transparency or clarity of the water by a device called a Secchi disk. A Secchi disk is a black and white disk that is lowered into the water on a cord. The Secchi depth is the depth at which the disk can no longer be seen. The deeper the Secchi depth, the greater the water clarity.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Secchi Depth
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available
at each sampling site
| ProgramID | N_Data | YearMin | YearMax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 69 | 1209 | 2001 | 2017 |
| 5002 | 34 | 2000 | 2014 |
| 103 | 2 | 2007 | 2007 |
Program names:
69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for Secchi Depth in Fort Clinch State Park Aquatic Preserve
Total Nitrogen - Discrete Water Quality
Nitrogen and Phosphorous are key nutrients that provide nourishment essential for the growth and maintenance of aquatic plants and animals; however, excess nutrients can cause harmful algal blooms and other water quality concerns. Nutrients enter water bodies several ways, including runoff from rain events and atmospheric deposition from natural and industrial sources.
Total Nitrogen Calculation:
The logic for calculated Total Nitrogen was provided by Kevin O’Donnell and colleagues at FDEP (with the help of Jay Silvanima, Watershed Monitoring Section). The following logic is used, in this order, based on the availability of specific nitrogen components.
- TN = TKN + NO3O2;
- TN = TKN + NO3 + NO2;
- TN = ORGN + NH4 + NO3O2;
- TN = ORGN + NH4 + NO2 + NO3;
- TN = TKN + NO3;
- TN = ORGN + NH4 + NO3;
Additional Information:
- Rules for use of sample fraction:
- FDEP report that if both “Total” and “Dissolved” are reported, only “Total” is used. If the total is not reported, they do use dissolved as a best available replacement.
- An analysis of all SEACAR data shows that 90% of all possible TN calculations can be done using nitrogen components with the same sample fraction, rather than use nitrogen components with mixed total/dissolved sample fractions. In other words, TN can be calculated when TKN and NO3O2 are both total sample fraction, or when both are dissolved sample fraction. This is important, because then the calculated TN value is not based on components with mixed sample fractions.
- Values inserted into data:
- ParameterName = “Total Nitrogen”
- SEACAR_QAQCFlagCode = “1Q”
- SEACAR_QAQC_Description = “SEACAR Calculated”
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Total Nitrogen
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available at each sampling site
| ProgramID | N_Data | YearMin | YearMax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5002 | 43 | 2000 | 2023 |
| 103 | 9 | 2004 | 2006 |
Program names:
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for Total Nitrogen in Fort Clinch State Park Aquatic Preserve
Total Phosphorus - Discrete Water Quality
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Total
Phosphorus
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available
at each sampling site
| ProgramID | N_Data | YearMin | YearMax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5002 | 47 | 2000 | 2023 |
| 103 | 10 | 2004 | 2021 |
Program names:
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for Total Phosphorus in Fort Clinch State Park Aquatic Preserve
Water Temperature - Discrete Water Quality
Temperature determines the capacity of water to hold oxygen. Cooler water can hold more dissolved oxygen because water molecules are more tightly packed, making it harder for oxygen to escape. Additionally, as water temperature increases, fish and other aquatic organisms become more active and consume oxygen at a faster rate.
Seasonal Kendall-Tau Trend Analysis
Map showing location of Discrete sampling sites for Water
Temperature
The bubble size on the above plots reflects the amount of data available
at each sampling site
| ProgramID | N_Data | YearMin | YearMax |
|---|---|---|---|
| 69 | 1219 | 2001 | 2017 |
| 5002 | 72 | 2000 | 2023 |
| 103 | 55 | 2004 | 2021 |
| 95 | 51 | 2014 | 2018 |
| 115 | 2 | 1994 | 1994 |
Program names:
69 - Fisheries-Independent Monitoring (FIM) Program
5002 - Florida STORET / WIN
103 - EPA STOrage and RETrieval Data Warehouse (STORET)
95 - Harmful Algal Bloom Marine Observation Network
115 - Environmental Monitoring Assessment Program
There are no qualifying Value Qualifiers for Water Temperature in Fort Clinch State Park Aquatic Preserve